The White House is reportedly opposing Anthropic's plan to expand access to its advanced Mythos AI model to 70 additional companies, bringing the total to around 120, amid concerns over computing capacity and national security. This decision adds to the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the AI company, which began in February when the Pentagon designated Anthropic a 'supply chain risk' and President Trump ordered federal agencies to cease using its products.
Background of the Dispute
In February 2026, the Pentagon labeled Anthropic a national security supply chain risk after CEO Dario Amodei refused to grant unrestricted access to the Pentagon for its AI models. President Trump responded by ordering all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's technology within six months, stating on Truth Social: 'The United States of America will never allow a radical left, woke company to dictate how our great military fights and wins wars!' Anthropic is currently challenging these measures in court.
Mythos AI Capabilities
Revealed in early April 2026, Mythos is Anthropic's most advanced AI model, capable of detecting and exploiting software vulnerabilities across major operating systems. Due to its potential cybersecurity risks, Anthropic decided not to release Mythos publicly. Instead, it launched a private program called 'Glasswing,' sharing a version with a limited group of companies including Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia to help improve their security infrastructure. Notably, Firefox developer Mozilla reported that using Mythos, they identified and patched 271 vulnerabilities in the browser during testing, highlighting the model's dual potential for both exploiting and safeguarding software.
White House Concerns
A White House official told Bloomberg News that the administration opposes Anthropic's expansion plan because it could reduce the government's own ability to use Mythos effectively due to computing capacity limitations. The Wall Street Journal reported that officials worry Anthropic lacks enough computing power to serve more users without degrading government access. The White House is reportedly working to balance innovation and security while ensuring AI models are rolled out safely.
Recent Developments
Earlier in April, CEO Dario Amodei met with White House officials, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, alongside major banks like Citigroup, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs, to discuss cybersecurity risks tied to Mythos. Talks were described as 'productive,' but the situation became more complicated when a small group of unauthorized users reportedly gained access to Mythos on the same day Anthropic first announced its limited release plan. Anthropic confirmed it is investigating the incident.
The National Security Agency is already running Claude Mythos Preview on classified networks, demonstrating the model's value to government operations. However, the White House's opposition signifies a continued rift, as the administration seeks to 'save face and bring them back in' while managing security risks.
